How your DNA affects the way you lose weight

And how a test can help you maximise your fitness routine

My copy chief at Vogue is this skinny curly haired beauty who can eat sweet treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner and not so much as gain a gram on the scale. In comparison, two days of bad eating guarantees I’ll put on at least a kilo, if not more. While some are genetically blessed weight wise, the rest of us who aren’t as lucky can now attempt to catch up with a simple genetic test that promises to help us rev up your metabolism, drop a few sizes and more importantly, prevent diseases we could be predisposed too.

“Weight, like many other things, is influenced mainly by what is in your genes and partially by your lifestyle choices. This is where Neutrigenomics—the study of nutrition and genetics to discover the different ways people respond to food based on their genetic make-up—comes into play,” says health expert Suman Agarwal.

How does it work? Due to naturally occurring mutations, humans differ in their DNA. The most common type of DNA polymorphisms are SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), which influence the way individuals absorb, transport, store or metabolise nutrients. The results of the test—a simple cheek swab sent to the lab for analysis—will help you determine the best diet and exercise regimens for you. “Such knowledge can help you optimise your health, know what you are allergic or intolerant to, prevent or control disease like diabetes and so much more,” says Agarwal.

While the steep cost of the test could act as a deterrent, here’s what a Stanford University study found—women who combined their eating plan with the results of their DNA test lost five times more weight. What better reason to give this a shot especially if you’ve been struggling to knock off the extra pounds despite eating clean and working out diligently!

Malaika Arora Khan, actor

What makes you feel sexy?
Being in a hotel room on a four-poster bed with white sheets… I love it! Besides that, many other things… like a well-fitted pair of jeans.

2 / 8

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Ragini Ahuja, fashion designer

What makes you feel sexy?
I feel sexiest in a big ‘boyfriend’ shirt, grungy hair and deep oxblood lips. I also feel great when my innerwear is coordinated—like a nice lacy floral black bra with high-waist boy shorts.

3 / 8

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Deanne Panday, fitness expert

What makes you feel sexy?
I feel sexiest in my own skin. It’s all about health and fitness for me… for a 46-year-old, I think I’m in pretty good shape. Scratch that. I’m in pretty good shape. Period. When I look at myself in the mirror, I see a toned body and an even glow—nothing is sexier than that!

4 / 8

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Sheena Sippy,photographer

What makes you feel sexy?

I feel sexiest in clothes that are both comfortable and flattering. I honestly don’t believe something is sexy just because it’s skimpy. A hint of curves is more alluring than showing skin. Having said that, on a bad day, cleavage and high heels fix everything!

5 / 8

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Masaba Gupta, fashion designer

What makes you feel sexy?
Ripped jeans and oversized shirts. In fact, I feel sexy in anything that is oversized.

6 / 8

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Tisca Chopra, actor

What makes you feel sexy?
I feel sexiest when I put on some mascara… and, of course, my husband’s shirt! A long luxurious massage and a pair of [Nicholas] Kirkwood heels have the same effect on me.